Eating disorders present diagnostic and treatment challenges to clinicians. While such disorders need both medical and psychological treatment, patients may be too medically ill for a thorough psychiatric evaluation and may be misunderstood by many primary care physicians. In this book, Drs. Philip S. Mehler and Arnold E. Andersen provide a user-friendly and comprehensive guide for primary care physicians, mental health professionals, and others who encounter patients who have eating disorders. Mehler and Andersen identify common medical complications that people who have eating disorders face and answer questions about how to treat them. They also cover such serious complications as osteoporosis, cardiac arrhythmia, electrolyte abnormalities, and gastrointestinal sequelae. Incorporating illustrative case studies, medical background on the complications, guidelines for diagnosis and treatment, and an up-to-date list of selected references, chapters cover important topics including team treatment and nutritional rehabilitation. Care of the patient who is very medically compromised is based on extensive experience. The authors also address special areas of concern, such as athletes who have eating disorders, males with eating disorders, and the pharmacological treatment of obesity. In this thoroughly revised and updated edition of Eating Disorders, Drs. Mehler and Andersen * discuss the results of recent randomized control trials* include new chapters on diabetes in eating disorders, osteoporosis, gastrointestinal complications, involuntary feeding, and innovative psychological strategies* present a fresh consideration of ethical conflicts, including involuntary treatment, harm reduction, palliative care, and futility* focus on evidence-based solutions* provide information pertinent to worried families and nonmedical professionals like teachers and coaches, including recent genetic findings* take a holistic approach that considers both the physical and mental health of the patient This classic foundational guide will help primary care and mental health professionals to understand and more effectively address the complex concerns of patients who have eating disorders.

'As well as charting her adolescent battle with anorexia, it offers a darkly compelling, highly topical account of journeying from girlhood to womanhood in the spotlight of global celebrity.' The Mail on Sunday 'A raw and powerful memoir, it shares lessons banishing self-hatred.' The Sunday Telegraph 'Gradually, I began to feel this dawning awareness that womanhood was coming for me, that it was looming inevitably, and it didn't feel safe...' Evanna Lynch has long been viewed as a role model for people recovering from anorexia and the story of her casting as Luna Lovegood in the Harry Potter films has reached almost mythic proportions. Here, in her fascinating new memoir, Evanna confronts all the complexities and contradictions within herself and reveals how she overcame a life-threatening eating disorder, began to conquer her self-hate and confronted her fear of leaving the neatness and safety of girlhood for the unpredictable journey of being a woman, all in the glare of the spotlight of international fame. Delving into the very heart of a woman's relationship with her own body, Evanna explores the pivotal moments and choices in her life that led her down the path of creativity and dreaming and away from the empty pursuit of perfection, and reaches towards acceptance of the wild, sensual and unpredictable reality of womanhood. This is a story of the tragedy and the glory of growing up, of mourning girlhood and stepping into the unknown, and how that act of courage is the most magical and creatively liberating thing a woman can do.

`Kathy Leach provides a thoughtful, well-written text that addresses the `great weight debate' in an engaging and compassionate way.' -The Psychologist, Vol. 20, March 2007 `The main body of the book focuses on clinical work, offering insightful ways of thinking about and working with obese individuals. The text is punctuated with some very useful case examples and transcripts which guide and enlighten the readers thinking.' -The Psychologist, Vol.20, March 2007 `An excellent, clear and accessible introduction to basic transactional analysis theory and principles, providing useful examples of how this form of therapy can be particularly useful and effective when working with people who overeat.' -The Psychologist, Vol.20, March 2007 `An important contribution in helping clinicians and clients understand the psychological aspects that prevent people form losing weight or maintaining weight loss. It is a `must-have' text for anybody working with this client group.' -The Psychologist, Vol.20, March 2007 `The Overweight Patient provides a practical framework to psychological management of obesity. Kathy Leach employs a model of Transactional Analysis psychotherapy to the treatment of obesity. She clearly writes from her considerable clinical experience. The factual information presented in this interesting book conveys the sense of someone steeped in that patient population. It is well written, with a light touch, and I found myself reading it in a single sitting. To any practitioner of transactional analysis, this will be a `must read.'' -European Eating Disorders Review, 2007 `The Overweight Patient explores the underlying beliefs and behaviours that may contribute to obesity, including psychological needs, addiction, fear of deprivation, parental influences and sexual fears. Kathy Leach draws a useful distinction between the need to eat and the need to maintain a large body size, and addresses the reasons for both long-term obesity and short-term weight gain. She provides a clear and accessible introduction to the psychoanalytic theory of Transactional Analysis and details how this approach can be used with overweight people, and as a self-help methodology. Kathy Leach offers sensitive advice on methods to help clients increase their self - esteem, self- awareness and motivation to develop healthier lifestyles.' -Transactions (TSTA) `Illustrated with patient histories, exercises and worked examples of techniques, this book enables therapists and health practitioners to help obese people to understand why they reach for food or maintain a large body weight, and to change their eating behaviour or live more comfortably with their size.' -Transactions (TSTA) This practical guide approaches obesity and overeating from a psychological perspective, and offers sensitive methods to increase patients' sense of self-worth, self-knowledge, and motivation to lose weight. The Overweight Patient explores the underlying beliefs and behaviours that may contribute to obesity, including psychological needs, addiction, fear of deprivation, parental influences and sexual fears. Kathy Leach draws a useful distinction between the need to eat and the need to maintain a large body size, and addresses the reasons for both long-term obesity and short-term weight gain. She provides a clear and accessible introduction to the psychoanalytic theory of Transactional Analysis and details how this approach can be used with overweight people. Illustrated with patient histories, exercises and worked examples of techniques, this book enables therapists and health practitioners to help obese people come to terms with their size, or to support their decision to change their behaviour and reduce their need to eat.